Origin and Character of the British People (1900, first edition)

Nottidge MacNamara's study of characteristics through the human skull

Author

Publisher

Printing Details

First edition. Hardback, bound in the original blue cloth with gilt titling to spine. 19.5 × 12.5cm, ix + 242pp, 2pp ads.

This study represents a significant late-Victorian attempt to bridge the gap between biological evolution and national identity. Macnamara, a distinguished surgeon, applies the principles of craniology to argue that the "British race" is a complex hybrid of prehistoric lineages, each contributing distinct psychological traits that he believes are as immutable as the shape of their skulls. The book includes themes of Social Darwinism:

Biological Determinism: Macnamara posits that mental and moral "peculiarities" are genetically fixed. He suggests that by examining the skulls of ancestors (Palaeolithic, Iberian, and Aryan), one can map the exact origins of modern British temperament and intellect.

The "Broad-Skulled" Mystery: Chapter 3 delves into the "Brachycephalic" or "Mongolian" people of Europe, exploring how their migration influenced the physical and social landscape of the West.

The Psychology of Ancestry: In Chapter 5, the author transitions from physical measurements to "Psychological Characteristics," attempting to explain how the "progenitors" of the British people provided the foundational "intellectual faculties" seen in the 1900s.

Urbanization & Decay: The final section provides a Victorian critique of the Industrial Revolution, examining the "Effects of Residence in Cities" on racial quality—a common anxiety of the era regarding national "degeneracy."

Illustrated with Plates: The work is heavily supported by photographs and drawings of cranial specimens, comparing various types to build a visual "history" of the British people.

Condition

A good plus copy but there is a small tear to the base of the spine at the front joint (about 1.5cm) and some scuffing and discoloration to the top of the upper board. There is a neat label to the front pastedown stating this copy comes from the Torquay Natural history Society, but the main body of the book is in very good condition.

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